Da Silva Strikes Gold For Tranent & PV
Sponsored by Haddington Farmers’ Market - last Saturday of every month in the town centre
HCC vs Tranent & Preston Village CC, Sat 28th May 2022
Haddington and Tranent contested a nip and tuck local derby on a tricky pitch at Neilson Park, kindly supported by the excellent monthly farmers’ market. T&PV won the toss and offered the hosts’ struggling batting unit first use. Cardwell-Moore continued his positive approach and saw off the opening spell with Cruickshank, despite good pace from Nair and Brunton. All was actually rather steady until Da Silva entered the fray from the Aubigny End and ripped out four wickets for just 15 runs. Cruickshank a little aggrieved to be out LBW for a well fought 20, as a cacophony of appeals rang out regularly on a deck Hawkeye would struggle to track the ball consistently on.
Rob Hiley showed flashes of a counter-attack and put Brunton under some pressure, but the bowler found a terrific response to clean him up through the gate. Spin twins Kumar and Macdonald then showed great fight to drag Haddington up to some sort of total, and Syme made sure all the overs were used as the lower order made their case for more chance with the bat. 115 was lighter than it should have been, but tricky nonetheless.
A tremendous tea, highlighted by Fergus Syme’s homemade sausage rolls, lifted spirits further.
Haddington knew a few early wickets and they would be right amongst it for a win. Tranent, more aggressive in their approach, banked on landing enough punches before they were knocked out. Either way, the chase wasn’t going the distance. Syme, like an immaculately crimped puff pastry, kept it tight and troubled both openers. Ragesh planted the front foot and smoked a couple of huge sixes - a sign 115 could indeed be overhauled very quickly. But then a moment of magic. Dave Arbuthnott, newly into the gully, took an astounding catch as Matholi looked to run Syme down to third man. Diving forwards, down, with one firm paw he grasped it an inch above the turf. Ragesh’s timbers were rearranged, and an ignited Haddington chipped two more out as Kumar and Hiley turned the screw. 43-4.
Jas Min did the smart thing and looked for quick singles but struggled for timing, and Cruickshank had him caught at mid-off. Da Silva though, a dashing and powerful left-hander, had the game in his grasp, able to counteract Macdonald’s turn and bounce by finding leg side boundaries. One shot too many, a rush of blood, and he fell for 26 as Macca took his revenge. 95-7 and the contest was in the balance. Beduduri was unorthodox but smart in swiping for the wide open spaces and taking two, brought Tranent in touching distance. His battle with Hiley was memorable, and the bowler might have had the last laugh only to overstep when clean bowling his man with just a few runs to win. The visitors secured the win in an enjoyable contest. Nonetheless, Haddington will reflect on a third successive defeat and a second home game which was for the taking, had the middle order made more of their opportunities and got to 140-150.
Player of the Match for Haddington - Ash Kumar & Rob Hiley who each receive a Farmers’ Market voucher.